The SSL 1300 was originally introduced in the 1980s and at that time used the Aerojet Rocketdyne R-4D-11 bipropellant apogee thruster, which was specifically developed and qualified for the SSL 1300. SSL has continually evolved the 1300 platform over the years to provide higher power, increased payloads, longer life and greater flexibility. As part of this evolution in capability, the HiPAT™ was first introduced into the SSL 1300 platform in 2002. The HiPAT™ is used on four different GEO Comsat platforms, and provides the highest performance of any bipropellant apogee thruster in the world.

“On behalf of all the women and men here at Aerojet Rocketdyne who contributed over the years, I would like to express our joy to have this opportunity to celebrate this triple centennial event with SSL, and express our pride in our continued achievement of 100 percent mission success with our valued customer partners,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake.

“SSL and Aerojet Rocketdyne have had a very productive and successful relationship over the past 30 years, and Aerojet Rocketdyne’s apogee engines have been an important contributor to the success of the SSL 1300 platform,” said Paul Estey, executive vice president of SSL.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.